Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
ATENOLOL VS CARDURA
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
ATENOLOL VS CARDURA
by wiliam, Mar 21, 1999 12:00AM
Because I was having some problems with "Atenolol" after taking it for about one year (hot flashes, difficulty with achieving and maintaining an erection, drowsines), my Doctor switched me to "Cardura". She explained to me that it was an Alpha-blocker but explained little else. I had been on 100mg of Atenolol. She is now easing me off of the Atenolol. I am taking 75mg for three days, 50mg for three days, and 25mg for three days; after which I will be done with the Atenolol. Today is the first day that I am on 50mg's and I have also taken my first dose of Cardura (2mg). It caused me to become short of breath, tired, made me irritable, and gave me a headache. Is this because I am taking the combination of the two drugs? Is this a reaction to the Cardura? If so, is there another Beta-blocker that might not have the side effects of Atenolol? I have also read that blood count must be monitored when taking Cardura. She said nothing about this. Should I mention it to her?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Mar 21, 1999 12:00AM
_
Dear William, thank you for your question. I don't know if the symptoms you complain of are related to the cardura, or whether you are hypersensitive to medications. All beta blockers have the same potential side effects as atenolol, but there are medications other than alpha- and beta-blockers that can effectively treat hypertension (calcium-channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics). There is no reason to monitor blood counts while taking cardura. I suggest that you speak to your physician to inform her of the new symptoms you are experiencing.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
